While pursuing her dream of becoming a junior lifeguard, a brave California teen survived a terrifying sea lion attack.
Watch the video down below.
Fifteen-year-old Phoebe Beltran was viciously bitten during a lifeguard tryout, highlighting the increasing dangers posed by marine wildlife along America’s coastal waters.
The attack occurred when Beltran was swimming roughly 25 feet from shore during a 1,000-yard swim test for a junior lifeguard cadet program in Long Beach.
What should have been a routine tryout quickly turned into a nightmare as the sea lion aggressively targeted the teenager, biting her arms and extremities.
“At first, I just assumed the worst, like a shark. I’m getting attacked, it has to be a shark. And then I’m like, ‘Please, don’t bite my arm off. Please don’t kill me. Please don’t let me regret trying out,'” Phoebe recounted.
Lifeguards witnessing the attack immediately rushed to assist Phoebe back to shore. Her mother, Bibiana Beltran, watched in horror as her daughter was brought in from the water.
“When she was close enough, we noticed her arm was bloody. As a mother, you freak out because you don’t anticipate it being your child,” she said.
Officials canceled and rescheduled the tryouts following the attack. Although Phoebe suffered multiple bites, thankfully she did not require advanced medical treatment beyond painkillers and antibiotics.
Despite the traumatic experience, the determined teenager has expressed her intention to return to the water and complete her tryout.
Long Beach Fire Department official Gonzalo Medina emphasized the unprecedented nature of the incident: “In my 25 years of service, I’ve never heard of something like this happen before.”
Experts note there has been an alarming increase in sea lions sickened by toxic algae blooms in Southern California waters, which can cause aggressive behavior in these normally docile animals.
“Certainly a side effect of the acid is potentially aggressive behavior, but there’s no way to tell,” Medina added.
He highlighted the uncertainties facing beachgoers in an environment where marine animals are increasingly unpredictable.
Captain Jack Crabtree of the Long Beach Fire Department reported that while the sea lion appeared aggressive during the attack, there were no obvious signs of illness, and the animal swam away after the incident.
This suggests that even apparently healthy marine mammals may pose unexpected dangers to Americans.
Despite her frightening experience, Phoebe maintains a positive outlook and plans to continue pursuing her career aspirations in marine life.
She emphasized the importance of awareness about marine animals and does not blame them for the incident.
